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I love wandering through the original Reston communities. I’m always struck by the differences in each neighborhood, even those adjacent to each other. Wainwright Drive in the Lake Anne area is a great example. The three townhome communities couldn’t be more different, despite all sharing an excellent location near Reston Town Center and Lake Anne and having been developed within years of each other.

Coleson Cluster

Most people who know anything of Reston’s history know about Waterview Cluster — the iconic townhomes on Lake Anne. Few people know that award-winning architect Chloethiel Woodard Smith designed another community of townhomes with the same floor plan and style as nearby Waterview. Coleson Cluster was built during the mid 1960s and comprises 45 townhomes spread over four and a half acres of lush lawn and trees. The townhouses in this beautiful community have a charming mid-century modern meets cottage vibe. They are light and airy, with light and inviting interior spaces. With flat roofs, large windows and contemporary style, they range in size from 1,500 to 2,800 square feet.

Mediterranean Villa, Reston

Continuing the European feel is Mediterranean Villa. Developed in 1970, the Mediterranean Villa homes feature white stucco exteriors with tiled roofs, 2-car garages, and about 1900 to 2500 square feet of living space. It’s a small and tight-knit community of 37 homes sited on a quiet cul-de-sac. Yes, these patio homes are nestled among oaks and pines rather than the coast, but they are as bright and airy as you will find anywhere in the Mediterranean.

Wainwright Cluster

Boston-based PARD Team, a young multi-disciplinary group of urban planners, architects, researchers and designers designed Wainwright Cluster in 1966. The cluster was part of the PARD Team’s mission to meet "the new challenges created by the uncontrolled urbanization of our environment, recent discoveries in the fields of social research, and rapid changes in building technology."

These homes were designed for first time homeowners. There are six models varying in size and layout. However, spacious bedrooms, large closets, ample storage space, breakfast nooks, and ground floor powder rooms are standard in all of them. The homes also feature spacious carports, large storage sheds, well-equipped play areas and private outdoor patios. Grouped into neighborhood subclusters, each neighborhood group is situated around a common landscaped green. Large windows at the rear of each home provide panoramic views of the thickly wooded areas surrounding the subclusters.

All of these neighborhoods are ideally located. Just off North Shore Drive, both Reston Town Center and Lake Anne are an easy walk. In fact, the Reston Association paths in this area are among community favorites and you are guaranteed to run into friends as you walk. The neighborhood is also close to the Reston Metro, Dulles Toll Road and Dulles airport. The kids can walk to Lake Anne Elementary, which is just two blocks away. And the entire family can enjoy the Reston pools and tennis courts, also within walking distance.